Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-05-18
Legislature.
SENATE.-Tuesday, May 10th.

SENATE.-Tuesday, May 10th.
SOCIAL EQUALITY.
In the Senate TODAY Senator Norton
(colored) presented petition signed by
some of his colored constituents, The
petitioners aim at social equality, and the
petition concludes as follows:
'tTherefore we earnestly desire that bill
be passed known as civil-rights bill; ;;assur-
ing to all and every citizen of this State
regardless OF race or color, the free and un-
molested privilege of determining for him
SELF whether he will ride first or second
class, the privilege of stopping at any house
kept foI the use of the public or any place
of amusement kept for the use of the pub
lic.''
On motion of Senator Norton the petition
was referred TO the Committee on General
Laws.
TO SECURE UNIFORMITY OF TAXATION.
Mr.. Koiner introduced the following in
the Senate:
"Whereas the tenth article of the Con-
stitution of Virginia was designed to se-
cure, not only equality and uniformity of
taxation in the assessment and levy, but
chiefly in the equality and uniformity of
payment of the same; and whereas the pay
ment OF taxes, by some, in deprecated
paper, at face value, produces great ine-
quality and injustice to those who pay their
taxes in currency; now, therefore, be it
Resotoed. That the Committee on Courts
of Justice be and are hereby requested to
inquire into the expediency ofso amending
the tenth article of the Constitution of Vir
glnia SO as to empower and require the
Legislature to provide by law for equality
and uniformity in value of payment of
taxes, as well as in the assessment and
levy of the same.
1t lies over under the rules
INTERESTING DEBATE.
The bill to amend and reenact an act
entitled an act making an apportionment of
senators and members of the House of
Delegates, approved February 9th, 1878,
came up in the Senate to-day and evoked
an interesting discussion, in which Senators
Berry, Causey, Gordon, Keezell and Nc
Cormick participated.
The discussion took partisan turn
MIR. Causey (Republican) alluded to the
glories Of his party, and when he concluded
MIR. Gordon looked after the Democratic
ranks and made very eloquent speech, in
which he said in conclusion:
MIR. President, the sun of Democracy has
not long been above the political horizon,
and already this country feels its beneficent
rays IN the soothing out of angry passions
and In the dying of bitter memories. God
helping me, no act of mine shall ever tend
to aim the lustre of its glory; but rather my
hearts last hope shall be that the sun of
Democracy In deathless splendor shall shine
on yet more brilliantly"
The Senate refused to engross the bill,
which kills it.
HoUsE.-Tuesday, May 10th,
BILL FOR PAYMENT OF TAXES.
Mr.. Pollard introduced a bill in the House
to-day providing a mode by which tax
payers may obtain an extension of time for
the payment of taxes to the 1st day of June,
1888, without the imposition of the five per
cent. penalty. The bill provides that all
taxes for 1887, other than license taxes, |
shall become due and be paid as follows:
One-fourth September 1st, 1887; one-fourth |
december 1st, 1887; one-fourth March 1st, |
1888, and the remaining fourth on June 1st, |
1888. Treasurers of each county and State |
to make out separate tax-bills for each pay |
ment, and shall have power of collection by |
distress or levy on and after the day on |
which such instalment becomes due. The |
Auditor shall have prepared tax-bills in |
proper form, distinguishing school taxes,
and On the back of each shall be printed
In consideration of the extension of the |
time of the payment of taxes for the year
1887, due from me to the Commonwealth,
to the list of June, 1888, hereby agree to
pay such taxes on that day in gold, silver,
United States Treasury or National Bank
notes" The several treasurers shall in
form each Taxpayer, upon the presentation
to him of the first instalment of taxes for
1887, that by execution of the agreement |
printed on the back of the ticket he has a
right to the extension of time. Nothing in |
this act shall affect the laws in regard to
the settlements of treasurers with the Com
Referred.
SENATE. Wednesday, May 18th.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Ellyson, of |
Richmond, asked to take up Senate bill 1e-
quiring railroad companies chartered by the
General Assembly of Va. to have their
offices in this State.
The Senate refused to take up the bill by |
a vote of 16 to H.
RESOLUTION TO REDUCE TAXATION.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Koiner present.
ed the following, which was adopted
Whereas, all the efforts made to settle
the State debt controversy with the Com
Association have failed; and whereas every
admissible subject of taxation has been
sought and taxed to augment the revenue
to pay the interest on the public debt an
der the various schemes ofsettlement which
have been proposed by. the State; and
whereas the proffer of settlement has been |
continued for more than five years and &C
cepted by only small portion of the public |
creditors. and the excess of revenue produc-
ed by the increased taxation over the neces-
sary expenditures Of the Government in its |
several departments, and the interest on the |
debt as provided under the act of 14th Feb |
ruary, 1882, if left in the hands of the tax
payers would afford relief to them and would |
be more profitably employed until the credi-
tors of the State shall manifest disposition |
to receive it; therefore be it
ResOlced, That the Committee on FL |
nance be and they are hereby requested to
inquire into the expediency, of making a |
ratable reduction on the taxes, so as to pro- |
vide only revenue enough for current ex-
penses.
HoUsE.-Wednesday May 18th.
The House to-day passed Senate joint re-
solution to destroy the plates and bonds
made by the Kendall Bank Note Company.
1t also passed an act to provide a PEN
atty on officers of the State for receiving
coupons Except for Identification and veri.
fication) for taxes, debts, dues, and de-
mands due the Commonwealth; also, Senate
bill to provide for the cancellation of GER
tain bonds ON the Commonwealth now
held by the Board of Public Works.
The Babies Cry Fer 1t,
And the old folks laugh when they find
that the pleasant California liquid fruit